WESTFIELD – A public hearing to determine the percentages of the tax levy borne by each class of real and personal property for FY17 will be held during the City Council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Room 207, City Council chambers, and the public hearing begins after the public participation portion and consideration of the communications from Mayor Brian P. Sullivan.
Among those communications on the agenda is an appropriation request of $1,034,300 from the Undesignated Fund Balance (Free Cash) to reduce the FY17 tax levy. The Mayor will present the submission to the council during his briefing, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
One person who will be participating in the public hearing is Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. Phelon sent out a request to Chamber members on Monday, asking them to attend the hearing and take a position on the tax shift. She also encouraged members to contact their City Councilors in advance of the meeting.
Phelon said the Chamber will be asking for a commercial/industrial tax shift position of 1.59 (59% higher than residential), in order to remain competitive with surrounding communities. Currently, the tax shift is between 1.62 and 1.63.
“The business community needs a break. Our surrounding communities have a lower tax rate, and we are not attractive to bring in new business. We are asking businesses to come and let their voices be heard,” Phelon said.
Phelon said even with a 1.59 tax shift, the tax rate will be an estimated $36.56 per thousand for commercial/industrial properties based on a 2% levy, compared to $19.44 for residents. She said the issue is complicated because of the Free Cash request.
“We don’t know if the Council will approve it,” Phelon said. She also said that the city is in a tough position because it is approaching its levy limit. “We’ve got to be very careful,” she added.
